On Saturday, four matches of the 24th round of the Spanish La Liga championship were played.
Barcelona, seriously aiming for the country's champion title, clashed with Eibar on the road. Catalans managed to get back on the winning track and after a tough battle, their opponents were defeated with a score of 2-0.
The match started very actively - both teams played an open game, but they did not convert their chances into goals so easily. However, in the 16th minute, the first goal was scored - after a wonderful pass from Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez put the guests ahead.
During the remaining time, Eibar had several good opportunities to equalize the score, but no more goals were scored, and the fight moved to the second half of the match.
Eibar showed teeth to the opponents in the second half as well, but the home team's chances in these matches were hindered by Fabiano Orellana - in the 66th minute, the Chilean received a second yellow card for angrily hitting the ball with his hand in disagreement with the referee's decision.
It was difficult for Eibar's team to fight against Barca with a player down in the last minutes of the match. The final point in these matches was added in the 88th minute, scored by Jordi Alba.
Barcelona broke the streak of two draws and gained a 10-point advantage over their closest opponents.
In another match, Sevilla defeated Las Palmas on the road, while Alaves narrowly beat Deportivo.
In the last match of the evening, Malaga tried to end their losing streak against Valencia. The Andalusians, who started the match very successfully, were left without points - the visitors achieved victory after a tough battle.
In the 27th minute, Malaga took the lead, but as the match approached its end, they lost the advantage they had built up. In the 80th minute, Francis Coquelin equalized the score from a corner, and Dani Parejo scored the winning goal from the penalty spot five minutes later.
Valencia remains in third place, with Real Madrid leading by four points, having played two matches less.
Results:
Eibar 0 - 2 Barcelona
16' [0 - 1] L. Suarez
88' [0 - 2] J. Alba
66' F. Orellana (Eibar) sent off from the field
Las Palmas 1 - 2 Sevilla
35' [0 - 1] W. Ben Yedder
50' [0 - 2] P. Sarabia
82' [1 - 2] J. Calleri (penalty)
Alaves 1 - 0 Deportivo
61' [1 - 0] Munir
Malaga 1 - 2 Valencia
27' [1 - 0] B. Ideye
80' [1 - 1] F. Coquelin
85' [1 - 2] D. Parejo (penalty)
84' I. Miquel (Malaga) sent off from the field
League table:
